How to Get an ExpressVPN Free Trial (7 & 30 Days) in 2024

ExpressVPN offers a 7-day free trial, but it's only available for mobile devices through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. This week-long trial grants full access to ExpressVPN's features, letting you test its speeds, security protocols, and streaming capabilities. 7 days is a good start, but it might not be sufficient to thoroughly evaluate the VPN across all your devices or in various real-world scenarios.

The good news is that ExpressVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. This gives you plenty of room to really test it risk-free across all your devices, including PCs. You'll have to pay upfront for a subscription, but getting a refund is easy if you're not satisfied. Plus, ExpressVPN often has deals that can knock up to 48% off the regular price, making it more affordable.

When I tested the refund policy, I found the process really straightforward. I contacted an agent via live chat and answered a couple of user-experience-related questions. Within a few minutes, my request was approved. I saw my money back in my account in a few days. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

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How to Get a 7-Day ExpressVPN Free Trial on Mobile

ExpressVPN's 7-day free trial is available for iOS and Android users. Once you start your trial, you can use your activation code to test it out on up to 8 devices simultaneously. The following instructions show you how to set it up on an iPhone, but the steps for Android are mostly the same.

1. Visit Your Phone's App Store

Search for the ExpressVPN app and download it from either the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. You can find the exact links on ExpressVPN’s website, and they’ll take you to your app store. Once the app has been downloaded, tap Start Free Trial.

I just typed "ExpressVPN" in the search bar to locate the app

2. Choose the 12-Month Plan

You'll be prompted to proceed with the annual plan since the monthly plan doesn’t come with the free trial. However, you won't be charged at this point. The subscription will come into effect if you choose to continue and don’t cancel it at least 24 hours before your trial ends.

You don't need to enter your card details; it uses the card saved to your app store account

3. Give Permissions

ExpressVPN will display its privacy policy for you to review and agree to. Next, you'll have to allow ExpressVPN to configure your phone’s network settings. This simply adds a VPN configuration to your phone that contains ExpressVPN’s server information, so it can connect whenever you choose to.

It asks if you would like the VPN to launch on startup. You can also opt to share data with ExpressVPN regarding crash reports, speed tests, usability diagnostics, and whether VPN connections succeed. This is all totally up to you — none of your choices here affect the functionality of the VPN.

ExpressVPN has a strict no-logs policy — you can read about it in its privacy policy

4. Test ExpressVPN for 7 days

Once the mobile app is set up, you can sign in using the email address you used for the free trial and get straight to testing its features. You’ll then be sent an email link to complete the sign-in. Alternatively, you can use the activation code. At this point, you can also download the VPN on each of your devices.

It’s important to note that once your free trial is up, you won’t be able to get an ExpressVPN free trial again on that operating system. However, you can get one free trial on iOS and another on Android, so you can do this if you want to get the ExpressVPN free trial more than once.

Its Smart Location feature automatically finds the fastest server for you

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

How to Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free For 30 Days

It’s quick and easy to install ExpressVPN and test it risk-free. The money-back guarantee isn't a free trial hack, as you'll have to pay for the VPN upfront, but it does give you a risk-free trial period. You'll be able to get a refund within 30 days if it doesn't work for you.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set it up and request a refund if you’re not happy with it.

1. Visit the ExpressVPN Homepage

Go to the ExpressVPN site, then select Get ExpressVPN or Start Your Trial Today. This will bring you directly to its pricing list.

After clicking this button, I was presented with multiple subscription options

2. Choose the Length of Your Plan

Every plan offers the same robust feature suite and a full money-back guarantee. When I tried ExpressVPN, I got 48% off the total price by choosing the longest plan. If you’re not sure you’re ready for a long-term subscription, you can choose the 1-month plan, which will cost less upfront.

Once you've selected your plan, just enter your email and payment details. ExpressVPN accepts credit cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, UnionPay, AliPay, Mint, and more. Note that using credit cards or PayPal will set up recurring payments, but you can easily cancel this by reaching out to 24/7 live chat support.

ExpressVPN even lets you pay with cryptocurrency for added privacy

3. Take Note of Your Activation Code

This will appear on the next screen after your email and payment information are processed. Then, you just need to click Download to set up the app on your device (it automatically detects which device and OS you’re using).

ExpressVPN has apps for almost any device

4. Paste Your Activation Code In the App

The app launches automatically once it's installed. Once you’ve logged in with your activation code, select your preferences. You can choose to have the app start automatically when you use your device (which I highly recommend) and opt for/against sending error reports.

The entire process of setting up and activating the app took me less than 3 minutes

5. Use ExpressVPN for 30 Days Risk-Free

This gives you plenty of time to test it for streaming, browsing, gaming, torrenting, and more.

6. Get a Refund If You’re Not Satisfied

As long as it's within the money-back period, it's easy to get your refund. You can make your request via email or its 24/7 live chat feature.

The agent was friendly and helpful — my refund was processed within minutes

7. Check Your Account for Payment

This can take up to 7 business days — however, I had my money back in 3 days.

ExpressVPN Free Trial Vs. Money-Back Guarantee

Every ExpressVPN plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means you can test drive all of its features on all your devices for a full month. If you're not satisfied with it, you can cancel and get your money back without fuss. A whole month gives you plenty of time to see how well ExpressVPN handles your day-to-day online activities.

The 7-day free trial is nice because you don't have to pay anything upfront. But let's be real — a week flies by, and you might not get to try everything ExpressVPN offers. VPNs can act differently from day to day, so a week might not show you the full picture.

If you'd ask me, I'd go with the money-back guarantee. Yes, you'll need to pay first, but ExpressVPN often has some pretty sweet deals. Plus, you get way more time to play around with it — 30 days instead of just 7.

I've actually gone through the refund process myself, and it was super easy. I just hopped on the 24/7 live chat and told them I wanted to cancel — that was it. They didn't try to talk me out of it or make me jump through hoops. My money was back in my account in just a few days.

What Can I Get With an ExpressVPN Free Trial and Money-Back Guarantee?

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested November 2024

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

Of all the VPNs we’ve tested, ExpressVPN offers the fastest speeds. During our tests on ExpressVPN’s nearby UK servers, we had a minimal speed drop of only 4%. Even on distant US servers, speeds only dipped by 17%, which is impressive considering the distance. This excellent performance is largely due to its proprietary Lightway protocol, which is designed to give you fast speeds without compromising security.

We never experienced any buffering throughout our tests

But it’s not just speed — ExpressVPN’s servers are reliable, too. We connected to its London server and could stream Netflix UK, BBC iPlayer, and Hotstar UK in HD without any problems. It also let us stream Disney+, Netflix US, Max, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video safely. So it’s a great option for privately streaming popular content from anywhere.

When it comes to keeping you safe online, ExpressVPN doesn't cut corners. Beyond the usual military-grade encryption, it employs perfect forward secrecy. This means a unique encryption key is generated for each VPN session you initiate. As a result, even if one encryption key is somehow compromised, your previous and future online communications remain fully secure.

That said, ExpressVPN isn't the cheapest option out there. But it frequently runs promos that can slash the price significantly. When I signed up, I got a sweet 48% discount. Considering the premium features you're getting, it's great value for money.

Useful Features

• Strong focus on privacy. ExpressVPN has a strict no-logs policy and uses RAM-only servers that completely wipe your data after every reboot. Its no-logs policy has been audited and verified multiple times by third party security firms, like PwC and Cure53. Plus, being based in the British Virgin Islands (a privacy haven outside of 5 Eyes jurisdiction) means they can truly stick to their privacy promises.
• Good for gaming. During our tests on ExpressVPN’s nearby servers, we recorded a ping of 10ms. This let us play fast-paced games like Warzone and Apex Legends without any lag. You’ll also have a smooth and responsive experience on cloud gaming platforms like GeForce Now.
• Great torrenting support. ExpressVPN is a great choice for torrenting since every server supports P2P connections. Plus, it offers strong IP and DNS leak protection, so anyone else connected to the torrenting swarm won’t be able to find out your true location.
• Automatic obfuscation. This disguises your VPN traffic as normal internet traffic, letting you get around tough firewalls and VPN blocks on restrictive networks. Plus, it’s one of the very few VPNs that is known to still work in China.
• Easy router setup. Of all the VPNs I’ve tested, ExpressVPN is the easiest to set up on routers. It offers custom firmware for easy installation and offers specific features like Device Groups that make it very convenient to use on routers.

Short on Time? Here Are the Best ExpressVPN Alternatives in 2024

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

How Does ExpressVPN’s Free Trial Compare to Other VPNs?

There are several VPNs on the market that offer a free trial. Let’s look at how ExpressVPN's free trial stacks up against those offered by other VPN providers.

1. CyberGhost — Activity-Specific Servers to Easily Find the Right Connection for Your Needs

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

The reason I love CyberGhost is for its specialized servers designed for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. These take the guesswork out of finding the ideal connection for your needs. During our tests, CyberGhost's streaming servers worked seamlessly with popular platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer. This means you can stream your favorite content in HD from anywhere.

CyberGhost's gaming servers also delivered low latency compared to its regular servers. For instance, we recorded a ping of just 22ms on nearby servers, which is ideal for online gaming. However, we noticed some speed inconsistencies on long-distance connections, especially during peak hours, which wasn’t the case with ExpressVPN. CyberGhost offers a 24-hour free trial, but you can test it risk-free for up to 45 days with its money-back guarantee.

2. Private Internet Access (PIA) — MACE to Block Ads and Intrusive Trackers

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

What sets PIA apart is its MACE feature, which blocks ads, trackers, and potential malware across your online activities. This not only improves your privacy but also enhances your online experience. During our tests, PIA’s MACE removed all on-page and pop-up ads from ad-heavy forbes.com. Plus, it slashed the load time on a popular news site from 7 seconds to a mere 3 seconds.

Another aspect that I like about PIA is its extensive customization options. You can adjust encryption levels (128-bit or 256-bit) and choose from various protocols like WireGuard or OpenVPN. This helps you balance speed and security. That said, the app isn’t as easy to navigate as ExpressVPN’s, especially if you’re a VPN beginner. It also offers a free trial, limited to mobile users.

3. NordVPN — Double VPN Provides Enhanced Security and Privacy

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try NordVPN >

www.nordvpn.com

NordVPN offers Double VPN, which routes your traffic through two VPN servers instead of one. This adds an extra layer of encryption to your connection. It's useful when you need heightened security, such as when handling sensitive data or browsing in countries with strict internet regulations.

During our tests, NordVPN delivered excellent connection speeds, similar to what we got with ExpressVPN. For instance, we saw a speed drop of 7% on its nearby UK servers, making it suitable for data-heavy tasks. The only problem is that its Windows app can sometimes be slow to launch. Overall, it’s a great VPN. It offers a free trial and a money-back guarantee, so you have plenty of time to test it for yourself.

Our Methodology for Testing VPNs With a Free Trial

When testing VPNs that offer free trials, we focus on several key factors to ensure you get a comprehensive understanding of the service before committing. We assess the ease of accessing the free trial, the features available during this period, and the overall user experience. Our tests include using the VPN for various online activities to simulate real-world usage scenarios.

We pay close attention to connection speeds, server availability, and the VPN's streaming capabilities. Security features like encryption strength, IP/DNS leak protection, and additional tools such as ad blockers are thoroughly examined. We also evaluate the transition from the free trial to a paid plan, including the refund process if applicable. For a detailed look at our testing process, you can visit our VPN testing methodology page.

How to Cancel Your ExpressVPN 7-Day Trial

You need to cancel at least 24 hours before the end of the 7-day trial period if you don’t want to be charged. You can manage your free trial subscription within your phone’s settings. Follow these steps to check how much time is left in your free trial and choose whether you’d like to cancel or upgrade to a paid subscription:

On iOS

1. Go to your phone’s settings. Then, tap on your Apple ID.
2. Press Subscriptions. Now, find your ExpressVPN subscription.
3. Find your ExpressVPN subscription. Here, you can see how long you have left of your trial.
4. Choose whether you want to cancel or upgrade early. Hit See All Plans to subscribe to a longer plan, or Cancel Free Trial to avoid being charged.
   When you cancel, you can still use the app for the remaining days of your trial period

On Android

1. Go to the Google Play Store. Tap on your profile icon in the top right-hand corner.
2. Tap Payments and subscriptions. Then, click Subscriptions.
3. Find your ExpressVPN subscription. This will give you a variety of subscription management options.
4. Choose whether you want to cancel. You can’t upgrade your subscription here, but you can cancel by hitting Cancel subscription. If you’d like to upgrade early, contact ExpressVPN’s 24/7 chat support.

How Does ExpressVPN’s Referral Program Work?

ExpressVPN offers a straightforward referral program that can save you money on your subscription. When you sign up for ExpressVPN, you can start referring friends immediately. The process is simple: you share your referral link, and if a friend signs up through it, both of you get 30 days of free service.

What makes this program particularly attractive is that there's no limit to the number of people you can refer. For each person who becomes a paying customer using your referral, you earn an additional 30 days of free service. This means you could potentially use ExpressVPN for months without paying, depending on how many friends you successfully refer.

It's important to note that all ExpressVPN subscriptions are paid upfront. When your friend signs up through your referral link, they'll be charged for their chosen plan immediately. Their 30 free days will be added at the end of this initial paid period, effectively extending their subscription.

FAQs on How to Get an ExpressVPN Free Trial

Can I get the ExpressVPN free trial with no credit card?

No, you will need a linked payment method to start the ExpressVPN free trial. However, it's likely already connected to your phone's app store account (Apple App Store or Google Play Store), so you don't have to manually enter any new card details.

The free trial is essentially validated by those existing payment details from your phone’s app store account. Just keep in mind that you'll need to cancel your subscription 24 hours before the 7-day trial period ends to avoid being automatically charged. You can still use it for the remaining period after you cancel.

If you happen to miss that cancellation window on an Android device, no worries — you're still covered by ExpressVPN's 30-day money-back guarantee. So you can request a refund during that time instead. Unfortunately, this money-back option doesn't apply if you started the trial on an iOS device. In that case, you'll have to follow Apple's standard refund policy.

Does the ExpressVPN free trial work on any device?

You can only get the ExpressVPN 7-day trial on Android or iOS. However, once you activate the free mobile trial, you can actually use ExpressVPN on any supported device like your PC or laptop. But the trial window itself is still just 7 days. That’s why you have another chance to test it risk-free since it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Even though you have to pay for this option upfront, you’ll get a better idea of how well the VPN works for you. And, if it doesn’t, it’s really easy to claim a refund.

When you sign up for a plan, you can use it on all of your devices, such as:

Will ExpressVPN charge me after the free trial ends?

Yes, ExpressVPN will automatically charge you for the plan you selected when your free trial period ends. If you don't want to continue using the service, you'll need to cancel before the trial expires to avoid being billed.

However, even if you forget to cancel and are charged, you're still covered by ExpressVPN's 30-day money-back guarantee. This means you can use the full service for up to 30 days after being charged and still get a full refund if you're not satisfied. To cancel and request a refund, simply contact ExpressVPN's customer support through the 24/7 live chat.

Do I need a free trial code or coupon to try ExpressVPN?

No, you don’t need a free trial code or coupon to use ExpressVPN's 7-day free trial. Simply sign up and download the app through an existing Apple App Store or Google Play Store account to start your trial. However, you can use discount codes and coupons when you sign up for ExpressVPN through the website.

Should I use a free VPN instead of ExpressVPN’s free trial?

I don't recommend using a free VPN instead of ExpressVPN's free trial. It's always better to use a premium VPN that offers a free trial or money-back guarantee, as these give you full access to high-quality features without a long-term commitment.

ExpressVPN's free trial (and subsequent money-back guarantee) provides unlimited access to all of the VPN's premium features. This allows you to thoroughly test its streaming capabilities, speeds, security measures, and more without any restrictions. In contrast, free VPNs often come with significant limitations and can even pose security risks.

Some of the drawbacks associated with free VPNs include:

• Small server networks
• Slow speeds
• Restrictive torrenting abilities
• Severe data caps that hinder streaming and other online activities
• Potential sharing of personal user data with third parties
• Invasive targeted ads
• Possible exposure to malware, trackers, and other cyber threats

To summarize, these are the best VPNs with a free trial or money-back guarantee…

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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